IWY vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWY (iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - IWY is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell Top 200 Growth Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWY returned 19.57%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IWY charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

IWY vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWY achieves a 7.20% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, IWY has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 19.57%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 13.31% annualized return.

IWY

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 5.83%
• YTD: 7.20%
• 6M: 6.65%
• 1Y: 26.69%
• 3Y*: 25.47%
• 5Y*: 16.45%
• 10Y*: 19.57%

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IWY vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF	7.20%	18.19%	34.89%	46.49%	-29.91%	31.05%	39.01%	36.20%	-0.72%	31.69%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between IWY and IAU is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2009	0.05

The correlation between IWY and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (all time) to 0.15 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IWY vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWY	IAU
Technology	54.9%	-
Communication Services	13.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	-
Healthcare	6.6%	-
Financial Services	5.6%	-
Industrials	4.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	-
Utilities	1.1%	-
Real Estate	0.3%	100.0%
Basic Materials	0.3%	-
Energy	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

IWY vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IWY

IWY Risk / Return Rank: 41
IWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
IWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
IWY Omega Ratio Rank: 46
IWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
IWY Martin Ratio Rank: 34

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IWY vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	IWY	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.23	+0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	1.62	+0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.24	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	1.69	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.26	4.19	+1.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWY vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWY Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWY and IAU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IWY	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	1.23	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	1.03	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94	0.84	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	0.62	+0.30

Drawdowns

IWY vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWY drawdown since its inception was -32.68%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWY and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWY	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.68%	-45.14%	+12.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.63%	-19.18%	+2.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.22%	-19.18%	-4.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.68%	-20.93%	-11.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.68%	-21.82%	-10.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.82%	-17.70%	+15.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.75%	-15.96%	+11.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.09%	7.71%	-2.62%

Volatility

IWY vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (IWY) is 3.69%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that IWY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWY	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.69%	5.50%	-1.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.65%	23.02%	-11.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.54%	26.42%	-10.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.48%	17.95%	+3.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.97%	15.90%	+5.07%

IWY vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWY has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IWY vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

IWY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IWY iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF	0.33%	0.36%	0.42%	0.68%	0.88%	0.50%	0.71%	1.06%	1.32%	1.26%	1.51%	1.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWY and IAU in my portfolio?

IWY and IAU have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWY or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to IWY (3.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWY dropped -32.68% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, IWY or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IWY leads with 19.57% vs 13.31% for IAU. On fees, IWY is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, IWY has been the lower-risk option at 3.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWY or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IWY has performed better with a 19.57% return vs 13.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWY or IAU?

IWY is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IWY or IAU?

IWY has the higher dividend yield at 0.33%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between IWY and IAU?

IWY is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IAU is Gold. IWY tracks Russell Top 200 Growth Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for IWY and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.23), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.